Jim Ervin has emerged as the strong favourite to become Ballymena United's new manager.
The former Sky Blues captain is believed to be the frontrunner for the job after David Jeffrey's departure last week.
Jeffrey left the club 'by mutual consent' following Ballymena's dismal showing in the Irish Cup final.
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Ex-defender Ervin spent seven years at the Showgrounds as a player, helping the club win the League Cup and County Antrim Shield, and finish second in the Premiership.
In total he played 277 times for the Braid men and became a fans' favourite during his time at the club.
And now those supporters want him back, with many believing the 37-year-old the perfect candidate to help rally the club following another disappointing season.
Ballymena United finished ninth in the Premiership before slumping to a 4-0 defeat to Crusaders in this month's Irish Cup final. A number of players are also expected to leave the Showgrounds this summer, presenting the new incoming manager with a significant rebuild job ahead of the new campaign.
Ervin has a strong affiliation with thee club, and penned an emotional letter to fans when he left Ballymena in 2021.
In it, he said: "To captain the club in all of that was a great honour and privilege and I hope you know how much that meant to me.
"Every time I pulled on that shirt I gave 100 per cent and did everything I could to win. Sometimes it wasn't good enough but the effort was there."
Ervin - who is completing his coaching badges this summer - remains on Carrick Rangers' books, and it is unknown whether he will fancy taking a step straight into management.
A number of other names are also being linked with the Ballymena post including Carrick boss Stuart King, former Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle and Dungannon Swifts chief Dean Shiels.
Ballymena last week advertised for the role with expressions of interest invited by this Friday, May 19.
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